LibDay Parade’s winning floats get $15K

Members of the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs receive their cash prize from Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, sixth from left after winning first place in the Best Float Competition of the 2022 Liberation Day Parade last July 4, 2022. The group received the award during an awards presentation yesterday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office in Susupe. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)

A total amount of $15,500 in prize money was presented yesterday morning at the Saipan Mayor’s Office in Susupe to the 10 groups whose floats won the Best Float competition of the 2022 Liberation Day Parade last July 4.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang and special assistant Henry Hofschneider presented the cash prizes to the 10 organizations that placed first to sixth place, with the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs’ float depiction of “Camp Susupe” taking the first-place prize of $5,000.

Four organizations that tied in second place—the Man Amko’ Office on Aging, Diaspora of the FSM in Saipan, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Commerce—split the second place prize money of $4,000, with each one taking home $1,000.

The third-place winners, which was also a tie between Triple J and Marianas Variety, each received $1,500, after splitting the $3,000 prize money.

Taking the lump sum of $2,000 in fourth place was Kirida-Highlands Lawn Care. The Office of Governor received $1,000 for fifth place, and 180 Productions under Victory Chapel rounded out the winning list and received $500 for sixth place.

Representatives of each organization were present for the event except for the Man Amko’ Office on Aging and the Diaspora of the FSM in Saipan.

“I just want to say thank you to all the participants for this year’s Liberation [Day parade]. They did a great job coming out with their floats at the last minute. People were excited to see that many floats out there this year,” said Apatang after the award presentation.

Apatang recounted that he and his team had been debating whether or not there would be a Liberation Day event this year because of their concerns about COVID-19, but seeing the public’s response and participation in events such as the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 convinced them to proceed with the celebration and he is glad they did that. “I think it’s about time that the people come out and enjoy themselves [as part of] going back to normal ,” he said.

Also noting that this year’s celebration had the biggest number of concession participation, Apatang said he’d also like to thank all businesses and food vendors that participated in the Liberation Day event.